Hike #37
A group shot on Mt. Mohican
It's really funny to look back at these old hike journals now. It's also funny that I'd always sent the journals to participants and asked them to add things I might have forgotten and I'd add their quotes and such...and now that can be done with facebook.
7/22-7/23/1
Starting our hike at Millbrook Road
Once again, I was ready to lead a backpacking trip, this time my biggest undertaking yet.
I had planned on a week on run, walking the AT and abandoned railroads through NJ and
PA. Though the trip was ill fated, it proved to be a good time anyway.
Ascending from Millbrook gap on the AT
Tea Biscuit and Alf were both excited about joining, and though Peeps wanted to join, he
was spending the week canoeing and portaging in Maine I believe it was. I had taken the
entire week off to spend hiking. Around Independence Day, I talked to Rich Pace, who
was one of the adult leaders when I was in Boy Scouts; Rich arranged some of the best
trips with the troop. We had also hiked a bit aside from the Boy Scout functions. Rich and
his son Eric, who was also in our Scout troop, were both interested in joining us for a day
of hiking. After discussing it, it was decided that Rich and Eric would meet up with us
along the way.
Overlook at Catfish Tower along the AT
Catfish Tower
Atop Catfish Tower
Catfish Tower
Catfish Tower
Along the Kittatinny Ridge, AT, nearing Catfish Pond Gap
After packing up, my grandmother drove the three of us to my Aunt Bonnie’s, and then
she drove us to Millbrook/Blairstown Road on the AT where we began walking. We made
our way to the Kittatinny Ridge, and then visited the Catfish Tower, a fire tower. We
climbed to the top with a 360 degree view of the Paulins Kill Valley, Delaware Valley, the
Poconos, and up and down the Kittatinny Ridge. We then moved south along open ridges
with continueous views including Lower Yards Creek Resevoir to the south. Around this
time, we came into contact with Rich using our walkie talkies. He was driving to Catfish
Pond Gap, the next road crossing at Mohican Camp Road to meet up with us. Before we
had the chance to reach this point, Rich and Eric met up with us partway up the ridge. We
descended Catfish Pond Gap, crossed the brook, and ascended the other side to Raccoon
Ridge and onward to Mt Mohican.
AT crossing Yards Creek in Catfish Pond Gap
Along the AT along Raccoon Ridge
AT on Raccoon Ridge
View of Lower Yards Creek Reservoir from Raccoon Ridge
AT on Raccoon Ridge
On Mt. Mohican messing with my walkie talkie.
Group shot at Mt. Mohican
Rich on Mt. Mohican
On Mt. Mohican
Mt Mohican view to the north
Descending to Tocks Swamp on the AT
Descending via the AT into Tocks Swamp
Sunfish Pond along the AT
Sunfish Pond along the AT
Sunfish Pond
Sunfish Pond
Resting at Sunfish Pond
We had an extended stop for swimming at Sunfish Pond as well, and had some lunch.
Rich and Eric continued with us along the AT to the backpacker site at Douglas Trail in
Worthington SF, but then had to turn back to make it before dark. We kept answering
lines to famous songs on the walkie talkies until we could no longer hear each other.
Where Rich and Eric cut out
AT south of Sunfish Pond
“Eric and I didn't go all the way to the backpacker site. We turned around
after about 1/4 mile past Sunfish Pond.” -Rich
Oh yeah, I remember now. You must have gotten back to Catfish Pond Gap late...
Tea Biscuit crazily sliding down a waterfall into fallen trees, Dunnfield Creek
On the way downhill, we passed a large group of pretty young girls, probably a soccar
team or something, all headed for the backpacker’s site. Tea Biscuit and Alf both wanted
me to turn back and set up camp with them, but I was adamant about moving on.
When we reached Dunnfield Creek, Tea Biscuit jumped in.
AT in Delaware Water Gap at Kittatinny Point
Lake Lenape along the AT, Del Water Gap PA
Ascending Mt Minsi on the AT
We continued on the AT, stopping to call Cathy at the visitor’s center, then crossed the
Rt 80 bridge. I don’t recall recall what we did for dinner, but we may not have eaten. We
continued on the AT north, to the top of Mt. Minsi, which was tiring considering our long
day. We set up camp just before dark near the site of where a fire tower used to be. After
setting up camp, another hiker camped near us, but made no noise. He was probably sorry
he set up anywhere near us as we laughed and carried on most of the night. At one point
we head something rummaging around the site, which we thought was probably a bear.
Fortunitely our food was all in a tree.
View from Mt. Minsi on the AT
Top of Mt Minsi on the AT
Clouds from atop Mt. Minsi on the AT
Top of Mt. Minsi, PA
Our camp site on top of Mt. Minsi
Our camp site atop Mt. Minsi
View from the top of Mt. Minsi toward Portland PA
View from the utility line near Totts Gap
Descending into Totts Gap along the AT
The next morning we rose to continue on the AT southbound, and after Tott’s Gap we
would cover new ground I had not previously done.
View from the Lunch Rocks along the AT, Kittatinny Ridge in PA
After ascending the other side of Totts Gap, passing a few minor views, we made a stop
at the Lunch Rocks, which give interesting views of the ridge we had walked. This is
always good because it gives a sense of accomplishment.
Nelson Vista along the AT, Kittatinny Ridge in PA
The Nelson Retreat along the AT at Kirkridge
Crossing PA Rt 191 at Fox Gap on the AT
Continueing on, we reached the Nelson Vista, the best view since the Water Gap, with
views of Upper Mt Bethel Township, PA, and Minsi Lake. Just beyond here a side trail led
to Kirkridge where there is a shelter. There was a couple there that had spent the previous
night, just now getting up. A side trail took us to a water pump where we refilled. Though
signs strictly forbade it, Tea Biscuit trespassed and asked if he could dispose of some
garbage at the Nelson Retreat, a religious retreat atop Kirkridge.
Soon after resuming our walk, we crossed PA Rt 191 in Fox Gap, where the AT follows
woods roads which were apparantly once eyed for use as a ridge top developement. Next,
we reached the Wolf Rocks, which is the southernmost point of glaciation on the
Appalachian Trail by the Wisconsin Glacier. Rocks at this point are outcropped with
limited views to the north.
Wolf Rocks along the AT
View from the Wolf Rocks
Backpacking the AT at Wolf Rocks, PA
After the Wolf Rocks, the trail became much rockier and hard on the feet, the geologic
makeup again owing itself to the glaciation. We also made the transition between the Big
Offset and the Little Offset, where the Kittatinny and Blue Mountain Ridges touch and
parallel each other briefly. The transition between the two is unnoticeable by walking. As
we crossed this section, we grew continueally more tired and hungry.
Tea Biscuit, nearly dead from our backpack
AT on Blue Mountain, PA north of Pen Argyl
We fantasized about having a pizza delivered to the trail in Wind Gap, the next piece of civilization aside from a
crossing of the Blue Mountain Water Company access road. This road crossing was a big
deal, as there was almost nothing of interest, other than various kinds of woods,
throughout this entire section. When we came out to the ridge near Wind Gap, beginning
to descend, the morale got higher. In Wind Gap, we made our way down the road into the
town of Wind Gap to get food. Alf had made up his mind that he was’nt going on, and
soon Tea Biscuit decided the same, though I was upset about this. After having Pizza,
however, I was feeling out of it as well. Alf called and got a ride home, and I called Cathy
to pick up Tea Biscuit and I. This would be the last time I’d camp for nearly five years.
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